Military receives equipment to clear Boko Haram landmines in Northeast

A massive de-mining exercise of farmlands and other stronghold battle areas of Boko Haram by the Nigeria Army in the north east will soon commence, just as the army has already taken delivery of sophisticated equipment for the exercise.

The Theatre Commander, ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’ , Major General Lucky Irabor disclosed this on Friday at a briefing with journalists at the Media Centre of the Operations Headquarters in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

The exercise according to the Theater Commander would be done in areas where the insurgents held sway and planted Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDS) in states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe State.

The Nation findings revealed that some farmers from Gujba Local Government of Yobe State were killed by explosives buried on their farmlands as they went back to till the land sometime early this year.

General Irabor also stated that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieut. General Tukur Buratai has confirmed the shipment of the equipment into the country, adding that they would soon began to arrive Maiduguri and other states that they are need.

He noted that even though most of the farmers in the region have gone back to their farms, there are still some ‘No go Areas’ especially in some liberated communities along the Sambisa Forest that require critical attention of the demining operations and the clearance of the IEDs to make them safe for farming and human activities

The Theatre Commander disclosed this during a press briefing held Friday at the Media Centre of the ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’ in Maiduguri while updating Journalists on the ongoing operations by troops against remnants boko haram sect in the last one month.

While giving an update on the ongoing opertions in the Theatre, Major General Irabor said; ”On 23rd July 2016 at about 0530hrs, own troops sprung an ambush against the Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) element between KOMALA and MUSAFANARI villages. Some BHT elements on motorcycle and bicycle were engaged while trying to cross SAMBISA Forest. Consequently, 2 BHT were killed while several items were recovered which include 2 AK47 rifles, 4 loaded AK47 magazines, assorted food items, laundry items, a motorcycle, 2 bicycles and assorted clothing.

“Similarly, On 28th July 2016 at about 0700hrs, own troops conducted a clearing operation in SHUWARI 1 and the adjoining villages. The villages were successfully cleared and all BHT structures were destroyed. In all five BHT were killed while a dane gun and a bicycle were recovered. Also, some food items which were found in several houses were destroyed. Additionally, 13 suspected hostages comprised of a man, 6 women and 6 children were rescued”. Irabor said.

Likewise, in an ambush operations, troops at PULKA community of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno state Crossing Point killed some terrorists, while many escaped with gunshot wounds.

During the operation, he said, one AK47 rifle, a General Purpose Machine Gun, a bicycle, a motorcycle, several live ammunitions, a TECNO phone with Nexttel SIM card and food items in sacks were recoverd.

He went on to say, “On 29th July 2016 at about 1830hrs, own troops embarked on an ambush operation to a suspected BHT Crossing Point off DAMBOA – KUBWA road towards MULTE village axis. As troops laid in wait, some BHT elements on bicycles appeared and were accordingly engaged. Consequently, one BHT was killed. Items recovered include an AK47 rifle with 14 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, a Dane gun (shaped like an AK47 rifle), a locally fabricated double barrel pistol and 4 bicycles.

“On Cordon and Search Operations and following an intelligence report that large quantity of arms and ammo were being moved into areas outskirts of GAMBORU for a possible BHT attempt to retake GAMBORU and RANN Local Government Areas of Borno state, own troops conducted a dawn cordon and search operations around GAMBORU town. A total of 3 AK56 and 2 AK-L rifles were recovered. Also, 235 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and 7 AK magazines were recovered”. Irabor stated.